Jammu and Kashmir’s unemployment rate has declined since late 2025, yet it remains nearly double the national average. According to statistics presented by the government in the Assembly on Monday, the Union Territory recorded an unemployment rate of 6.7 per cent, compared with 3.5 per cent at the national level.
The figures were shared in response to a question raised by National Conference MLA Mubarak Gul, citing data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
The government response highlighted persistent fluctuations in the Union Territory’s unemployment rate, which has consistently remained higher than the national average.
Under the Mission YUVA survey conducted by the Union Territory Administration, more than 4.73 lakh individuals aged 18–60 years were identified, of whom nearly 47 per cent reported that they were not working but were willing to work.
The government acknowledged the need for greater focus on youth employment. It stated that it was prepared to fund viable ideas to empower young people to work and establish enterprises within the Union Territory.
Since its launch, Mission YUVA has received a strong response, with approximately 70,000 applications submitted through the YUVA platform, reflecting significant interest among the youth in enterprise-led employment.
Detailed Project Reports have been prepared for nearly 52,875 applicants through Small Business Development Units (SBDUs). After bank scrutiny, 47,816 applications were examined, of which 16,141 cases have already been sanctioned.
Around 9,500 applications were rejected for failing to meet eligibility criteria, while the remaining pending cases are being processed on a fast-track basis.
The government has also formulated a comprehensive strategy titled “From Aspiration to Enterprise – Transforming Jammu & Kashmir’s Employment Landscape” aimed at reducing unemployment and strengthening youth participation in productive economic activities.
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